Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.

-Albert Einstein

The turkey has been peacefully digested. Extra melatonin from the bird has left the blood stream and the stress hormones of December are picking up. Why? Because we make things harder then they have to be.

Life plans, business plans, dinner plans, gift plans, while all important, clutter our minds and blur our vision. We switch to an automatic auto pilot. Season of joy… What joy?

This December, give yourself a powerful gift, a gift of incremental planning to allow yourself to enjoy the journey, and not only the destination.

1. Use your cell “Notes” app or a comparable one as a way to clear your mind. As a “to do” item crosses your mind – jot it down so that it no longer preoccupies your brain causing additional stress. As you jot it down – put a target date in front of it, a date by which you want to get this item accomplished. Then each morning, sort the list by date and see what it is on for today.
2. If you are not yet into a powerful morning start, with meditating, praying, etc, take a short cut for a simple powerful start to each day. As your feet hit the ground, stand straight and stretch backward by tilting your head up and back and both of your arms up and to the sides. Just one minute. Simple. Powerful.
3. Breathe. No, I really mean it. Taking three deep breaths, filling the hollow of your abdomen, in through your nose and out through your mouth, will lower stress levels significantly and will give you much needed extra oxygen to process any decisions with a higher efficiency. So, the second you are feeling tight, stress, overwhelmed or overworked, simply take some time to breathe.
4. Just say “no”. Extra party? Extra gifts? Simply say “no”. Next week we will discuss some easy and affordable gifts that will have meaning, and not be given just out of obligation. For now, practice that “no”.
5. Break tasks down into small steps. And … start now. What is your one “big” December project? Start on it now.

Here is the greatest short cut to enjoying the journey: if what you do will have no significance in 10 years, simply don’t do it. I am writing this because I think it matters. Because I think you matter and you will still matter in 10 years…  So, this is my Christmas and holiday gift to you